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Monday, August 26, 2013

A MrFothergills package and a giveaway!

I have been feeling rather blessed lately. First the win from the garden competition, and then a package in the mail arrived from MrFothergills! Hubby is a bit concerned about old MrFothergills, I pay him way too much attention. He sends me lovely gifts though! :) Look what arrived in the mail!

I have been hankering to try microgreens, and I got a lovely kit, with two different packages of seeds. Check out their range of sprouting and microgreens... A while back I closely planted a bunch of lettuce seeds, and as they have been growing I have been picking the leaves. They are so tender , and fresh, but very delicate. This is a hydroponic system, and I couldn't wait to set it up. I forsee some gourmet plates coming up in our future! This photo was taken after two days.. I see they have wheatgrass,,, mmm wonder if I should try growing that too? I emailed and they said they were trialling the wheatgrass in the microgreens container, until now they have recommended growing it in a little soil.

I also like the look of their sprouter kit, and they have such a variety of different seeds to sprout ..... I remember years ago my mom had a sprouter kit just like this. In fact she bought it at a garage sale while vising me in the USA and took it back to South Africa in her suitcase. My Dad was not amused.

In the package there were also some kits for kids, very timely, as we will be having the grands all of next weekend. Luckily two packages and a pizza kit - I have a little table set up so we will plant the pizza kit and their own seeds from the little gardeners seed kits in pots as recommended. then they can be replanted into their own section of the garden.

Oh yes! another thing I have been wanting to try forever - soy beans (edamame). Now I am not sure if these will grow if the rains come early, so I planted a few seeds, and keep the rest until the wet season ends in the beginning of next year. There are so many stories about commercially grown soy being GM modified that I like the idea of growing my own. None of MrFothergills seeds are GM and a lot are organic.

I will start off some tigerella tomato seeds to plant into the wicking beds, but once again it may be too late in the season so I will save most of the seeds. The wicking beds have not been tremendously successful, but I think it is because they took some settling in. I would love to add some of my compost, but I am worried that I might introduce bacterial wilt which is a soilborne disease. I was also speaking to my neighbor who also uses a lot of compost in her garden. She said she added a bit of lime and that has improved her soil, so I am going to pick up some dolomite lime - I hear that is the best kind to use. My little ph meter always reads the same, so instead of assuming it is right I am going to assume it is broken....

I also got some flower seeds. I have a lot of shady areas in my garden, so think I might put these into a couple of pots for now so that I can move them around if they need more light. I might also leave them until after the wet.

Now is probably a good time to update what I received in my last package:

these grass seeds are still available to anyone who would like them (Australia only - sorry)

I really liked the seed tape - the small plants do not have to be transplanted and the plants grew up strong and healthy. The bok choy was very successful this year, and I have left some to flower so that I can save the seeds and plant again.

Spinach and onion did not grow in my garden - I should have known better and given them away!

The calendula and dichondra that MrFothergills sent me have grown well and I am happy to have them as part of my garden. Check out misstownmouse - she has a giveaway of some vintage cloths, the koala tablecloth is awesome! Get in quick as the giveaway ends on the 30th August.

Hi Gill,I just looked at all of the great seeds Mr Fothergill's has out now. Their range really has taken off. I was umming and arring over the bunny tails but didn't get them so I'd love a packet of those if you still have them.I did buy edamame and some new sunflowers and couldn't decide which sprouts or microgreens to pick.You're a lucky girl to be delivered such a great box of seeds and goodies.Tracy

Tracy,they really have taken off with their range, and their organic range seems to have increased as well. My grandkids love it when I get these kids packages. I am sending those seeds off this week. You sure seem to have lots more space than I do!

Mmm, I think maybe Mr AA might have some competition from old Mr Fothergill. Does Mr AA give you such lovely gifts?It all looks wonderfil, particularly, the little gardener kits. Your grands are lucky to have you to introduce them to the joy of growing things.

Mr. Fothergills has been very kind to you...enjoy planting and reaping all your new seeds.....looking forward to taking the journey with you.The sprouting kit looks very interesting, and I know it will be put to good use. After all it has been christened already!!!

It's fantastic that you're growing your own food. I think everyone should do that, and it looks like you got a fantastic selection of seeds. Mr Fothergills has been very good to you. The hydroponics looks easier that I thought; I'm always a bit worried about hydroponics and figure it's hard to grow vegies that way, but maybe I should give it a try. :)

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You will notice that in some of my older posts the photos have been lost. I am sooo sorry. I have left them there because they still contain a lot of good information. Where appropriate I will slowly begin adding in more photos, so hang in there!

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Quotes I enjoy

Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables, they probably get jet-lagged, just like people do - Elizabeth Berry

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

The secret of happiness is not found in seeking more,

but in developing the capacity to enjoy less

- paraphrased from Socrates quote

“See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls.” – Mother Teresa

Nature in all its diversity grants us a glimpse into the heart of God the Father which is nothing but Love.

It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you seeHendry David Thoreau

Making a garden is not a gentle hobby for the elderly,to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole, and once it has done so he will have to acceptthat his life is going to be radically changed. May SartonPlant Dreaming Deep, 1983

When the trees sing,It doesn't really matterIf you know the song, Or if you know the words,Or even if you know the tune.What really matters is knowing ....That the trees are singing at all.Mattie Stepanek, 1990-2004

To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walkor an evening saunter;to be thrilled by the stars at night:to be elated over a bird's nestor a wildflower in spring... these are some of the rewards of the simple life.John Burroughs, 1837-1921

Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder…”– Thoreau

“Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I hear it I wash my mouth out with chocolate.” ~ Charles M. Schulz

You who walkmaybe with troubled thoughts....Come, enter here and restand may the sweet serenityof growing things....and the heavenly peacebe mirrored in thy soul.by Michael Palmer

Gods GardenThe Lord God planted a gardenIn the first white days of the world,And he set there an angel wardenIn a garment of light enfurled.So near to the peace of HeavenThat the hawk might nest with the wren,For there in the cool of the evenGod walked with the first of men.And I dream that these garden closesWith their shade and their sun-flecked sodAnd their lilies and bowers of roses,Were laid by the hand of God.The kiss of the sun for pardon,The song of the birds for mirth, -One is nearer God’s heart in a gardenThan anywhere else on earth.For He broke it for us in a gardenUnder the olive-treesWhere the angel of strength was the wardenAnd the soul of the world found ease.Dorothy Francis Gurney

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.Mary Jean Iron

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.Albert Einstein

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."~ John Lubbock******************************************************